Brush construction

ABSTRACT

A brush construction of a type specifically designed for children and employing a novel assembly arrangement that insures both safety and long life in the use thereof. The brush includes a body section having an end portion provided with an axial socket, and a bristle arrangement assembled therein. The bristle arrangement is comprised of a plurality of individual elongate bristle elements having a wire element twisted about the approximate midpoint thereof, whereby said elements may be doubled over upon themselves to provide a completed arrangement. The wire element has exposed, tinelike ends whereby when said arrangement is disposed in said axial socket, said tinelike ends will pierce the end wall of said socket to maintain the bristle arrangement in assembly.

United States Patent [72] Inventor NathanielM. Marx Chicago,111. 121]AppLNo. 792,034 [22] Filed Jan.17,1969 [45] Patented Aug-31,1971 [73]Assignee Montrose Products, Inc.

Chicago,lll.

[54] BRUSH CONSTRUCTION 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C|..,. 15/195, 15/143 [51] lnt.Cl A46b3/l6 [50] FieldoiSearch15/176, 168175, 202, 205, 190196, 143-145 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 878,134 2/1908 Hardman 15/191 1,919,010 7/1933 Connor15/190 2,348,515 5/1944 Baumgartner 15/195 2,854,684 10/1958Hardmanetal. 15/193 3,430,281 3/1969 Baumgartncr 15/195 3/1969 Stiel15/145 FOREIGN PATENTS 958,310 9/1949 France 15/196 1,257,700 2/1961France 15/143 215,707 1 H1924 Great Britain 15/190 PrimaryExaminer-Peter Feldman Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & BushnellABSTRACT: A brush construction of a type specifically designed forchildren and employing a novel assembly arrangement that insures bothsafety and long life in the use thereof. The brush includes a bodysection having an end portion provided with an axial socket, and abristle arrangement assembled therein. The bristle arrangement iscomprised of a plurality of individual elongate bristle elements havinga wire element twisted about the approximate midpoint thereof, wherebysaid elements may be doubled over upon themselves to-provide a completedarrangement The wire element has exposed, tinelike ends whereby whensaid arrangement is disposed in said axial socket, said tinelike endswill pierce the end wall of said socket to maintain the bristlearrangement in assembly. a

BRUSH CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to and was designed primarily for children. More particularly,this invention pertains to an art brush that parents or educators mayallow children to use without fear of injury to the child, ordestruction of the brush during use or abuse by the child.

Prior art brush constructions normally comprise a rigid, wooden handlewhich has a bristle carrying metal ferrule crimped in surroundingengagement over an end thereof. While this particular construction isentirely satisfactory for adult usage, in many instances injury hasresulted when same have been used by children in the lower age brackets.

In this regard it should be understood that a child will not alwaysemploy an art brush in a manner as would an adult. On the contrary, thechilds extraordinary imaginative powers soon transform the brush into anarticle of play; or the handle may soon become the object of the childsmasticative tendencies. In addition, a small childs dexterity often isnot developed to such a degree that his young hands may hold the brushin the proper manner, nor is he able to use a brush with the finesse ofan adult. All of these factors have, in the case of the above-mentionedprior art constructions, resulted in injury to the child. For example,the metal ferrule generally is formed from sheet stock rolled into acylindrical form and thus has a seam running the length thereof. Theedges of this seam, and the end edges of the ferrule present sharp metalcorners that can be harmful to young hands. Also, the wooden handleportion presents still another source of injury, not only due to itsrigidity, but also due to the fact that it is often painted, and not allmanufacturers are willing to take the time, nor incur the expense, toassure the use of nontoxic paints.

In addition, looking now to the economic advantages, as opposed to thehereinbefore discussed safety features, the present invention providesan art brush of superior quality that can be manufactured and sold at arelatively low price. Prior to the present invention, prior art brushesin this category had been of questionable quality as to material used,construction, and actual performance. All of these objectionablefeatures are eliminated with the present invention.

More particularly, the novel method of interlocking and assembling thebristles to the ferrule insures a shedproof brush. Thus, there is nodanger that the rough handling by child or adult will result in thebristles coming out while painting or after numerous cleaningoperations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the above noted disadvantages ofprior art brushes are obviated; and the heretofore discussed advantagesrealized, by the provision of a brush comprising, body means having aflexible handle and an end portion with an axial socket formed therein,a plurality of elongated bristles, and a wire element twisted about saidbristles approximate their midpoint to permit said bristles to bedoubled over upon themselves, the ends of said wire element includingtinelike portions such that the wire element with the assembled, doubledover bristles may be engaged in said socket, with the axial wallportions thereof engaging said bristles to maintain them in closelybunched relationship, and the tinelike portions of said wire elementpenetrating the socket end wall to maintain said bristles in assemblywith respect to said body.

Additional objects and advantages afforded by the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art as the detailed descriptionof the embodiment illustrated in the drawings is evolved hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an art brushaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the art brush of FIG. 1,

with the ferrule portion thereof being illustrated in section.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the art brush of the presentinvention in a partially assembled condition, and illustrating the modeof assembling the bristles.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the bristle carrying endportion of an art brush constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, with the bristles in section,illustrating how the wire element is twisted about the midpoint thereofto hold said bristles in assembled relationship.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Directing your attention nowto the drawings, an art brush constructed in accordance with the presentinvention is illus trated in FIG. I, and designated generally 10. Thebrush I0 is comprised of a body section designated generally 11 andincluding a handle 12 and a ferrule 14, and a bristle arrangement 16carried by said ferrule portion 14.

As is illustrated in phantom in FIG. I, the handle 12 is preferablyflexible to provide the safety features discussed above. In addition, toachieve the nontoxic nature of brush l0 and hence insure safety for useby children, the handle 12 and the ferrule l4are preferably constructedfrom any one of a number of nontoxic plastic materials of the typeunaffected by paints, lacquers, acrylics, varnishes and their solvents.Also, it should be noted that by constructing the ferrule 14 and handle12 of a plasticlike material the flexibility of handle 12 may be assuredand since the parts are molded and the above-mentioned harmful sharpmetal corners inherent with prior art brushes are avoided.

In FIGS. 2-5 the specific construction of the individual elements whichmake up the brush 10, as well as their mode of assembly, is illustrated.With specific reference initially to FIG.

'2, it can be seen that the handle 12 is provided with a reduceddiameter, pluglike end portion 18, while the ferrule 14 has in one endthereof an axial socket 20 of corresponding shape. The opposite end offerrule 14 has an aperture 22 which is designated to accommodate thebristle arrangement 16 to be discussed more fully hereinafter, with thecylindrical wall portion of said recess sized to hold the elongatedbristle elements in closely bunched relationship.

Turning now to the mode or manner of assembly of ferrule 14 and handle12, the reduced diameter portion 18 is provided with a plurality ofcircumferential grooves 24. The ferrule socket 20 is provided with alike number of inwardly extending protuberances 26, whereby uponreception of the reduced diameter portion 18 in socket 20 theprotuberances 26 will be received by a snap-FIT type engagement into thegrooves 24, as seen in FIG. 3. In this regard, it should be noted thatpreferably the socket 20 is frustoconical in shape, with the reduceddiameter end portion 18 correspondingly shaped so as to achieve afriction fit when engaged therein, which also facilitates maintainingthe elements in assembled relationship.

As is best viewed in the sectional illustration of FIG. 4, theprotuberances 26 have a cross-sectional configuration which facilitatesreception of the end portion 18 in socket 20, but resists withdrawalthereof, the recesses 24 being of a corresponding shape. In this regard,it should be noted that the leading surface 30 of the rib orprotuberance 26 is on a slight taper with respect to the axis of theferrule, while the opposite surface 32 is substantially perpendicular ortransverse to said axis. Accordingly, upon introduction of the reduceddiameter end portion 18 in socket 20, the peripheral surfaces thereofwill ride easily over the tapered surface 30 until with the ribs 26 theysnap into grooves 24. After said ribs 26 are engaged in grooves 24, thecontiguous, substantially perpendicular surfaces 30 and 30 will resistpullout or withdrawal of the end portion 18.

Concerning the bristle assembly or arrangement 16, attention is invitedinitially to FIG. 5, the arrangement 16 includes a plurality ofindividual elongate bristles 34, which are maintained in assembly withrespect to each other by a wire element 36 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thewire element 36 is twisted about the midpoint of said bristles 34, andjsaid bristles are then doubled over upon themselves. The wire element36 is provided with tinelike portions 38 at the ends thereof.Accordingly, after said wire element 36 has been wrapped about themidpoints of the bristles 34, and said bristlesdoubled over, theresulting bristle arrangement 16 can be inserted within the bristleconfining socket 22, in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 3. Due to therelatively soft nature of the ferrule 14, continued advancement of thebristle construction 16 in the direction indicated will cause thetinelike portions 38 .to pierce the end wall of socket 22 thereby toretain said'wire element 36 and the associated doubled over bristles 34within the confines of said socket.

Also, it should be noted that the recess 22 is preferably provided witha tapered frustoconical section 22' which upon assembly exertsa wedgingforce on the bristles. This wedging action coupled with the forceexerted on the bristles by the twisted wire element 36 insures that theindividual bristles will not pull out during use. In addition, theforward or entry portion 22" of said bristle receiving socket is ofcylindrical configuration and sized to closely receive said elongatebristles 34 and hold them in closely bunched relationship.

While the art brush construction hereinbefore discussed was developedprimarily with the safety of children in mind, it is noted that its modeor manner of construction is such that a high quality art brush may berealized, at a relatively lowcost. In addition, it is noted that variousmodifications, changes and substitutions will occur to one skilled inthe art, with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated anddescribed. For example, means other than that illustrated may beemployed to maintain the ferrule and handle in assembled relationship;or for that matter, the body of the brush may be formed of the one-piececonstruction. Accordingly, in this regard said changes and modificationsare envisioned and intended insofar as they fall within the spirit andscope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. An artists brush comprising: body means having an end portion with anaxial socket formed therein; and a bristle arrangement assembled in saidsocket, said bristle arrangement including a plurality of elongateindividual bristles, an elongate wire element twisted about saidbristles approximate the midpoint thereof, the ends of said wire elementbeing exposed and of a tinelike configuration such that said wireelement with the associated doubledover bristles may be engaged in saidsocket with the tinelike end portions of said wire element piercing thesocket wall to maintain said bristle arrangement therein; said bristlearrangement receiving socket including an entry portion, and anarrowing, frustoconical portion adjacent thereto for effecting awedging force on theindividual bristles thereby to assist in maintainingsaid bristles in the desired assembled relationship.

2. An artists brush as defined in claim 1 wherein said body meansincludes a handle element and a ferrule member assembled together, saidferrule member having the bristle arrangement receiving socket formedtherein, and cooperating means on said ferrule and said handle toprovide for assembly thereof.

3'. An artists brush as defined in claimv .2 wherein said cooperatingmeans includes a reduced diameter portion on said handle and a socketformed in said ferrule, said reduced diameter portion having a pluralityof circumferential grooves and said socket having a like number ofperipheral protuberances, whereby upon reception of said reduceddiameterportion in said socket said protuberances will be snap fittedinto said grooves.

4. Anartists brush comprising; body means having an axial socket formedin an end portion thereof; and a bristle arrange- .ment disposed in saidaxial socket; said body means comprising a handle element and a ferruleelement of a unitary, onepiece construction joined to said handle, saidferrule element having the bristle arrangement receiving socket formedin one end thereof; and cooperating means on said handle and ferruleelement for 'oining said elements together, said cooperating means lnclumg a second axial socket formed in an end of sat rule member is of aunitary, one piece construction, and said handle element is formed froma soft, flexible material that is easily bent, thereby to reduce thedanger of injury when said brush is used by a child.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO. DatedAugust 31.,

Inventor(s) Nathaniel M. Marx It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 38, change "designated" to --designed-- Col. 4, line 39,change claim 1" to "claim 2-- Signed and sealed this 4th day of April1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents USCOMM-DC GOEI'IG-PEQ ORM PO-105O (10-69) h u 5 covsauusm'PRINYlNG OFFICE was o-ass-aaa

1. An artist''s brush comprising: body means having an end portion withan axial socket formed therein; and a bristle arrangement assembled insaid socket, said bristle arrangement including a plurality oF elongateindividual bristles, an elongate wire element twisted about saidbristles approximate the midpoint thereof, the ends of said wire elementbeing exposed and of a tinelike configuration such that said wireelement with the associated doubled over bristles may be engaged in saidsocket with the tinelike end portions of said wire element piercing thesocket wall to maintain said bristle arrangement therein; said bristlearrangement receiving socket including an entry portion, and anarrowing, frustoconical portion adjacent thereto for effecting awedging force on the individual bristles thereby to assist inmaintaining said bristles in the desired assembled relationship.
 2. Anartist''s brush as defined in claim 1 wherein said body means includes ahandle element and a ferrule member assembled together, said ferrulemember having the bristle arrangement receiving socket formed therein,and cooperating means on said ferrule and said handle to provide forassembly thereof.
 3. An artist''s brush as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid cooperating means includes a reduced diameter portion on saidhandle and a socket formed in said ferrule, said reduced diameterportion having a plurality of circumferential grooves and said sockethaving a like number of peripheral protuberances, whereby upon receptionof said reduced diameter portion in said socket said protuberances willbe snap fitted into said grooves.
 4. An artist''s brush comprising: bodymeans having an axial socket formed in an end portion thereof; and abristle arrangement disposed in said axial socket; said body meanscomprising a handle element and a ferrule element of a unitary,one-piece construction joined to said handle, said ferrule elementhaving the bristle arrangement receiving socket formed in one endthereof; and cooperating means on said handle and ferrule element forjoining said elements together, said cooperating means including asecond axial socket formed in an end of said ferrule opposite said firstmentioned socket, and a reduced diameter portion formed on said handlewhich is frictionally engaged in said second axial socket of the ferruleto maintain said elements in assembled relationship, and said handlebeing constructed of a soft, flexible material that is easily bent,thereby to reduce the danger of injury when said brush is used by achild.
 5. An artist''s brush as defined in claim 1 wherein said ferrulemember is of a unitary, one piece construction, and said handle elementis formed from a soft, flexible material that is easily bent, thereby toreduce the danger of injury when said brush is used by a child.